Elithis tower

First positive energy tertiary building

Concept

The sleek modern Elithis Tower, in Dijon, home to the head office of Elithis Group, is a ‘new generation’ high energy performance building. The challenge was to construct a ‘positive energy building’, one that produces more energy than it consumes, thus minimising the building’s impact on the environment. As a result, the overall amount of heat recovery or free cooling of interior spaces can be closely monitored.

The contemporary allure of this tower is a fitting addition to the very modern composition formed with the neighbouring Congress Hall and Dijon Auditorium.

Program

The architectural design proposes an oval cylindrical volume, a form that meets environmental criteria regarding air fluidity and Venturi effects, but also economic and architectural criteria.

In order to limit excess heating by solar radiation, a sunscreen of perforated metal wraps itself around the southern side of the tower. It reduces glare but is sufficiently transparent to allow panoramic views from the offices, which are also largely lit by natural light.